Playing In Pan's Game

Chapter 1

"Good morning!" I exclaimed, jumping off the last step of the ladder that led to the tree house. The boys sat around the fire, eating everything from bagels to breakfast pizza. I smiled at them as I walked over to a spot between Felix and Michael.

"Morning Ace," Michael said, smiling back at me.

"Whatever," Felix groaned. I laughed, Felix had turned into the ultimate pessimist around camp throughout the years. The sun started shining after Hook left, marking night and day. Some of the boys and I had bet that he was pessimistic because he didn't like the occasional sunburn.

"Aw lighten up for once, Felix."

"No thanks," he mumbled, looking over at me and smiling slightly. I rolled my eyes and pulled out an apple, I was starving.

"Where's Peter today?" I asked. I felt like I was always asking that question, but he was busy. It wasn't easy being the bad guy.

"Still dealing with Tink. He's trying to get her to come around again, but she isn't having it."

I sighed, "Why does he want her here?"

"Extra magic, more power. The usual."

"What against? There are no threats right now."

"Just preparing," Felix said, shrugging. He turned away from me and picked up his hammer. He obviously knew something I didn't, but I didn't question it.

"Hey Ace, couple of us are gonna play Capture the Flag, you interested?" a new boy, Tobias, asked. He had came to the camp a few weeks ago and taught us new games, one being Capture the Flag.

"Sounds cool," I answered. I quickly turned to Felix. "Tell Peter where I am?"

"Trust me, he'll know," Felix said, smirking. I laughed, before walking over to join the boys at the edge of camp.

I looked around at the other eleven boys playing which were: Tobias, Michael, Runner, Devon, Joshua, Luke, Harry, Zayn, Thomas, Will, and Ryan. Tobias took charge as usual, splitting up teams and creating the flags and weapons. In the end, I was on a team with Michael, Luke, Will, Harry, and Zayn.

"Remember, the rules are simple, first team to capture the other team's flag wins. And remember, the arrows don't have tips, they are rounded with squids ink, so you'll be momentarily paralyzed. So, let's start."

Our team took off into the woods, sprinting as fast as we could.

"We need to find a base!" Will exclaimed.

"We'll want to be high up, so we have a better view of where they might be," I said. "And try to keep your voices down now, we need to move quieter."

We were silent and the only thing we could hear was ourselves running. I took a deep breath. It was so nice to be free and run and have fun. We had some time for fun over the last few years, but we also had other complications to deal with, such as indians. But, they were easily taken care of.

"The hill above the dark forest!" Zayn whispered, pointing to the bottom of the hill.

"Everybody stop right here," I said, slowing to a stop. The boys followed me, and waited intently for me to explain. "We can't put the flag on top of the hill, it will be easily spotted. Put it somewhere near the bottom here in thick underbrush and watch for them. Me and Michael will go up top and see if we spot anything. If we do, we all attack and leave the flag hidden. Go big or go home," I explained.

Some of he boys snickered and began taking their places. I nodded for Michael to follow me and we began our way up the hill.

"You like these games, don't you?" he asked, laughing a little.